IT IS ORDERED that the judges of the magisterial courts listed below be designated as Chief Judge or Associate Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts in the counties in which they hold office.

IT IS ORDERED that, due to the current inability of SCDMV to comply with the provisions of Act No. 270 of 2008, the State Election Commission shall distribute 2009 municipal jury lists comprised only of registered voters in each municipality.

By notice dated September 18, 2008, the Supreme Court requested written comments regarding the ABA Consultation Team’s recommendations regarding the South Carolina Lawyer and Judicial Disciplinary Systems. The written comments have been posted.

The Court has amended Rule 403, SCACR, to allow students who complete a judicial observation and experience program approved by the Chief Justice's Commission on the Profession to receive one Rule 403 trial experience credit for completing the program. The student may substitute the judicial observation and experience program credit for any one of the four trial experiences required by Rule 403(c).

The Court has today released a statement regarding the ABA Reports on the Lawyer and Judicial Disciplinary Systems in South Carolina. In addition, the Court has issued a request for the submission of written comments regarding the recommendations made by the ABA’s consultation team.

Rule 402 has been amended to include law school completion requirements to take the bar examination. Additionally, the rule has been amended to establish provisions relating to bar admission ceremonies.

IT IS ORDERED that beginning January 1, 2009, for a trial period of one year, there is hereby established the Multi-Week Trial Docket for the Ninth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Judicial Circuits, and terms of this court shall be scheduled for Beaufort, Charleston, and Horry counties.

Pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Const. Art. V § 4,
IT IS ORDERED that Form SCCA 426ABCD, Family Court Order – Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, bearing a revision date of (7/08), is approved for use in the Family Courts of South Carolina.

By Notice dated March 19, 2008, the Supreme Court scheduled a public hearing at 11:00 a.m. on July 9, 2008, regarding proposed amendments to Rule 5 of the South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rules 16 and 26 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rules 701, 702, and 703 of the South Carolina Rules of Evidence.

With the adoption of Rule 609, SCACR, the Supreme Court has created a Rules Advisory Committee. This Committee will be responsible for making recommendations regarding the adoption or amendment of rules governing the administration of or the practice and procedure before the trial courts of this State.

IT IS ORDERED that Form SCCA/217, General Sessions Sentence Sheet, bearing a revision date of 07/2008, is approved for use in the Circuit Courts of South Carolina and replaces SCCA 217, bearing a revision date of 10/2007.

IT IS ORDERED that the judges of the magisterial courts listed below be designated as Chief Judge or Associate Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts in the counties in which they hold office.

IT IS ORDERED that SCCA SCRCP Form 4, Judgment in a Civil Case, bearing a revision date of 06/2008, is approved for use in the Circuit Courts of South Carolina and replaces SCCA SCRCP Form 4, bearing a revision date of 12/2007.

The South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court-Annexed Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules, and the South Carolina Rules of Magistrate Court have been amended.

The Court has agreed to the Bar's proposed amendments to the Bar Constitution, which: (1) allow notice of meetings to be served electronically; (2) eliminate the positions of Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer; and (3) formally recognize the current practice of electing ABA State Bar Delegates in staggered terms.

The Supreme Court has amended Rule 30 of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement (RLDE) to add a provision dealing with a suspended or disbarred lawyer’s failure to timely surrender his or her certificate to practice law or to timely file the affidavit required by Rule 30. Further, the order adopting the amendment contains requirements for suspended or disbarred lawyers who have not timely complied with the requirements of Rule 30 prior to this amendment.

As reflected in the Notice, the Supreme Court of South Carolina has requested written comments and has scheduled a public hearing on proposed amendments to the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, the South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure and the South Carolina Rules of Evidence.

The Supreme Court of South Carolina is considering adopting guidelines or “best practices” for attorneys conducting residential or commercial real estate closings in South Carolina. The guidelines were developed by the South Carolina Bar Task Force on Closing Responsibilities.

The SC Court Interpreter Certification Program will be holding two workshops in Charleston in February and March, to offer anyone interested in becoming certified the opportunity to prepare for the Written and Oral Examinations.

The South Carolina Access to Justice Commission will hold seven regional public hearings at county courthouses beginning in March and culminating in a final hearing in the fall at the South Carolina Supreme Court.